The following poem was originally recited by Ibo warriors as their leader Ojea lay dying on a battlefield in sight of victory. It has since has gone onto become a song performed at funerals.
Ojea, noble Ojea, look round before you depart,
Ojea, see, the fight is over;
Fire has consumed the square and then the home,
Ojea, see, the fight is over.
Ojea, Brother Ojea, ponder and look,
Ojea, see, the fight is over;
If rain soaks the body, will the clothes be dry?
Ojea, ah! The fight is over.
Here is the poem in the original Ibo.
Ojea Nwa obi ga enene Ka ibianaba,
Ojea nenekeda na ogu ana;
Oku adu ilo Kpema odu uga,
Ojea Nenekada na ogu ana.
Ojea Nwanne, ga enene ga enene,
Ojea nenekeda na ogu ana;
Nmili ama oru kpeme zi akwa,
Ojea nenekeda na ogu ana.
From “West African Voices” (pp. 153)
D. C. Osadebay, E. L. Lasebikan and J. H. Nketia
African Affairs Vol.48 (1949)
